Report blames Inter owners, not directors for missing out on Palestra to Chelsea | OneFootball

It was a massively disappointing week in Inter circles when the club missed out on the signings of both Marco Palestra and Nico Paz within the space of a few days, but reports in Italy suggest that the club’s owners are at fault for failing to land the signings rather than the club’s directors.

Who is to blame for Inter’s failed pursuit of Palestra?

It is no secret that Inter were targeting a move for Palestra for their soon-to-be-vacant right wing-back position. Denzel Dumfries has had his release clause activated and the two-time Italy international was touted as his heir in waiting, Beppe Bergomi suggesting that the Nerazzurri ‘could’ve had the next Achraf Hakimi’.

Inter had even looked into the possibility of signing Palestra from Atalanta during the January transfer window while he was still on loan with Cagliari according to recent reports in Italy.

However, despite weeks of negotiations, The Nerazzurri ultimately failed to land a deal for Palestra, who is now set to join Premier League side Chelsea in a deal worth €60m including add-ons. Beppe Marotta, Piero Ausilio and co. had been attempting to close a deal for €45m plus bonuses.

In Italy, it had been reported that Inter’s Oaktree ownership group had set aside €50m for the signing of Palestra this summer and that any other new arrivals would have to be funded through the sales of current players.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 17: Marco Palestra of Cagliari Calcio in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

However, as pointed out by journalist Bucchioni on TMW, that €50m sum was not even enough for Inter to land their ‘priority’ signing this summer, a player that many felt was ‘on a plate’ for the Nerazzurri. The player had also expressed his interest in moving to San Siro.

Bucchioni argues that directors Marotta and Ausilio are not entirely blameless in the failure to land a deal for Palestra, but the bigger share of the blame lies with the owners.

He claims that Marotta ‘had to waste too much time explaining and convincing the investment management firm to raise the spending limit’, but that the ‘answers came too late’.

PISA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A match between Pisa SC and FC Internazionale at Arena Garibaldi on November 30, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Monday’s report suggests that had Inter had another €10m or so ready and available to spend, a full agreement for Palestra would have been closed ‘20 days before’ Chelsea got their deal over the line.

However, the time that Inter spent waiting allowed Chelsea to enter the race and put a larger cash offer on the table, which helps selling club Atalanta from a financial point of view, and also means that they avoid selling their asset to a domestic league rival.